Get yer Avs tickets now, cheap

Just got off the phone with Kroenke Sports, and they will be selling upper bowl tickets for $20, starting noon on Wednesday at the Pepsi Center box office, for Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

What does this say? It says that the Avs, once the toughest ticket in this town, are getting desperate to fill the building again, by any means necessary.

We’re almost into February, and the Avs are having to off-load tickets at bargain rates against an Original Six team. The Avs are not alone in their troubles, of course. I’ve been shocked at how poorly the Nuggets have drawn, a first-place team with two of the biggest stars in the league.

The fact is, the Denver economy is in bad shape. Really bad. From when I moved here in 1991 til very recently, this always seemed like a boom town to me. But no more. It’s greatly affecting the sports dollar, I think. People have cut back on attending high-priced sporting events, and you can’t really blame them.

Well, for Wednesday’s game, at least, it’s not so high priced anymore. 20 bucks isn’t bad to take in an NHL game, and I guarantee you’ll be able to move a little lower to a better seat if you want.

This isn’t about the Denver economy, it is about the product on the ice. The Avalanche need the hearts of the fans and then we will see full stands. Give the fans a hero, a winner, a heart and they will spend.
As a season ticket holder, I go to each game and I look at the jerseys the fans are wearing. Of course Sakic is there, Laperriere, and few Svatos, and a few Stasny, but there are lots of fans wearing the jerseys of players who are gone like Forsberg and Foote. During the scoreboard intro’s of the team the fans still cheer loudly for Sakic and go crazy for Laperriere, but are mum for the others because they haven’t seen the contribution. Smyth was getting there, Finger is working his way into the hearts of fans. Our big deal for Hannan brought us someone who is just another tree in the forest. Lappy isn’t a big scorer, but the fans love this guy because he has heart and passion. That fills the stands. Fans don’t spend money and cheer for uniforms, but for players who earn the fans respect.

Ed

This isn’t about the Denver economy, it is about the product on the ice. The Avalanche need the hearts of the fans and then we will see full stands. Give the fans a hero, a winner, a heart and they will spend.
As a season ticket holder, I go to each game and I look at the jerseys the fans are wearing. Of course Sakic is there, Laperriere, and few Svatos, and a few Stasny, but there are lots of fans wearing the jerseys of players who are gone like Forsberg and Foote. During the scoreboard intro’s of the team the fans still cheer loudly for Sakic and go crazy for Laperriere, but are mum for the others because they haven’t seen the contribution. Smyth was getting there, Finger is working his way into the hearts of fans. Our big deal for Hannan brought us someone who is just another tree in the forest. Lappy isn’t a big scorer, but the fans love this guy because he has heart and passion. That fills the stands. Fans don’t spend money and cheer for uniforms, but for players who earn the fans respect.

soothsayer

Hey Ed…money is a factor for most people right now, and where we decide to spend it…but, you’re also right about the organization not providing the product that they have in the past…I used to go to a game and figured I had a good chance of seeing a win…now it’s 50/50…do I want to spend my recession dollars on 50/50 (back to the money)? If I were a Wings fan (which I would never be…aka Chelios) I would go to games to see Zetterberg, Datsuyk, Lindstrom, Rafalski and even Osgood…instead it’s Hejduk (needs to step WAY up), Savtos, Brunette, Wolski and Theodore…in the post lockout days the Avs have not faired as well…I will still watch 82+ games, but the home games will mostly be from my living room…when the economy improves, I’ll go to more…and all Gary Bettman did was waste fan base, ratings, loyalty, interest and…attendance…great job Bettman…just the opposite of what you (supposedly) wanted…

soothsayer

Hey Ed…money is a factor for most people right now, and where we decide to spend it…but, you’re also right about the organization not providing the product that they have in the past…I used to go to a game and figured I had a good chance of seeing a win…now it’s 50/50…do I want to spend my recession dollars on 50/50 (back to the money)? If I were a Wings fan (which I would never be…aka Chelios) I would go to games to see Zetterberg, Datsuyk, Lindstrom, Rafalski and even Osgood…instead it’s Hejduk (needs to step WAY up), Savtos, Brunette, Wolski and Theodore…in the post lockout days the Avs have not faired as well…I will still watch 82+ games, but the home games will mostly be from my living room…when the economy improves, I’ll go to more…and all Gary Bettman did was waste fan base, ratings, loyalty, interest and…attendance…great job Bettman…just the opposite of what you (supposedly) wanted…

soothsayer

Hey Ed…money is a factor for most people right now, and where we decide to spend it…but, you’re also right about the organization not providing the product that they have in the past…I used to go to a game and figured I had a good chance of seeing a win…now it’s 50/50…do I want to spend my recession dollars on 50/50 (back to the money)? If I were a Wings fan (which I would never be…aka Chelios) I would go to games to see Zetterberg, Datsuyk, Lindstrom, Rafalski and even Osgood…instead it’s Hejduk (needs to step WAY up), Savtos, Brunette, Wolski and Theodore…in the post lockout days the Avs have not faired as well…I recall when Pierre Lacroix said, as Forsberg was going out the door, that Hejduk and Tanguay would score 160 points…look where that went…I will still watch 82+ games, but the home games will mostly be from my living room…when the economy improves, I’ll go to more…and all Gary Bettman did was waste fan base, ratings, loyalty, interest and…attendance…great job Bettman…just the opposite of what you (supposedly) wanted…

soothsayer

Hey Ed…money is a factor for most people right now, and where we decide to spend it…but, you’re also right about the organization not providing the product that they have in the past…I used to go to a game and figured I had a good chance of seeing a win…now it’s 50/50…do I want to spend my recession dollars on 50/50 (back to the money)? If I were a Wings fan (which I would never be…aka Chelios) I would go to games to see Zetterberg, Datsuyk, Lindstrom, Rafalski and even Osgood…instead it’s Hejduk (needs to step WAY up), Savtos, Brunette, Wolski and Theodore…in the post lockout days the Avs have not faired as well…I recall when Pierre Lacroix said, as Forsberg was going out the door, that Hejduk and Tanguay would score 160 points…look where that went…I will still watch 82+ games, but the home games will mostly be from my living room…when the economy improves, I’ll go to more…and all Gary Bettman did was waste fan base, ratings, loyalty, interest and…attendance…great job Bettman…just the opposite of what you (supposedly) wanted…

Jeremy

The one ice product is one factor. The unfamiliarity with the current roster, the lack of star power on the ice, missing the playoffs last season…yeah, they do contribute to empty seats. But so does the economy. For example, the on-ice product in Detroit certainly has not slipped in recent years but the Wings have started seeing more empty seats at The Joe also. Combine the high cost of tickets to an NHL game to the other entertainment options available to most people living in a metro area and I don’t blame people, even die-hard fans, for not shelling out triple digits to head out to a hockey game.

Jeremy

The one ice product is one factor. The unfamiliarity with the current roster, the lack of star power on the ice, missing the playoffs last season…yeah, they do contribute to empty seats. But so does the economy. For example, the on-ice product in Detroit certainly has not slipped in recent years but the Wings have started seeing more empty seats at The Joe also. Combine the high cost of tickets to an NHL game to the other entertainment options available to most people living in a metro area and I don’t blame people, even die-hard fans, for not shelling out triple digits to head out to a hockey game.

Jacyln

Thanks for letting us know about the Avs ticket promotion, I really hope that inspires more fans to attend the game and for more $20 ticket nights. There is no shame in trying to get the arena full by offering those discounts, and it also helps out those who can’t spend $400 for a family to go to a game, which is one of the main arguments I see.

I go to a lot of games for all 4 teams in town and I can tell you the Avs and Nuggets still draw very good crowds. I’m not sure when and why the expectation of a sellout became the minimal level of acceptance around here. I am glad the bar is set that high but in just pointing out the failure of that expectation is not the answer to the problem.

I’m not dumb enough to not acknowledge that there is a difference when the Avs have 15,000 fans vs. 17,000 and I can see that the interest in the Avs have been declining the last few years. But its due to a variety of things. The Avs not being a part of the playoffs last season did turn a lot of FAIR WEATHER fans away. The lockout also stirred up some negative feelings in people, the causal fan still thinks its only the players fault why the lockout happen. Also, there are more winning teams in Denver. For years and years the Nuggets and Rockies were nothing special. Now people are spending their money to go see them instead. When the Avs were the only successful team in town it did give them a sort of swagger, that and the perception that the tickets were tough to get.

Sure the Avs are not as dominant as they used to be. But seriously, anyone who is staying away from the team and the games for that reason alone is a pretty arrogant fan. The Avs still have great offensive talent and are extremely competitive in a very competitive league and division. Sure its not a guarantee that they will win anymore but the chances are pretty good. The Avs have a very good home record. I’m not sure what people are expecting the Avs to do in this situation, there is nothing they can do to move back to the pre lockout days. You want them to go out and over pay for a band aid just like the Broncos did? The Avs have talent and depth and have been dealing with injuries. It breaks my heart to see them cast off like rejects because they are going through a little adversity. If all these people say they are Avs fans, then support them!

The main reason why nobody knows or cares who the new Avs are is because the media has dropped the ball on covering and hyping them. Stastny is already on his way to becoming a star and should be given the same treatment and love as we give Tulo. The Rockies press took away the entire month of October (and rightfully so) away from the Avs first month of the season plus the Broncos are top headline year round (as it should be). But that also means nobody in town knows who to root for. Sakic is on the bench, so who is the new star for the Avs? Thats the media’s job.

The bottom line is that the Rockies are whats taking away from the Avs fans, attention and sports entertainment dollars. I’m not saying thats wrong, I’m a big Rockies fan myself, but we have to at least acknowledge that it has made an impact on the town.

Jacyln

Thanks for letting us know about the Avs ticket promotion, I really hope that inspires more fans to attend the game and for more $20 ticket nights. There is no shame in trying to get the arena full by offering those discounts, and it also helps out those who can’t spend $400 for a family to go to a game, which is one of the main arguments I see.

I go to a lot of games for all 4 teams in town and I can tell you the Avs and Nuggets still draw very good crowds. I’m not sure when and why the expectation of a sellout became the minimal level of acceptance around here. I am glad the bar is set that high but in just pointing out the failure of that expectation is not the answer to the problem.

I’m not dumb enough to not acknowledge that there is a difference when the Avs have 15,000 fans vs. 17,000 and I can see that the interest in the Avs have been declining the last few years. But its due to a variety of things. The Avs not being a part of the playoffs last season did turn a lot of FAIR WEATHER fans away. The lockout also stirred up some negative feelings in people, the causal fan still thinks its only the players fault why the lockout happen. Also, there are more winning teams in Denver. For years and years the Nuggets and Rockies were nothing special. Now people are spending their money to go see them instead. When the Avs were the only successful team in town it did give them a sort of swagger, that and the perception that the tickets were tough to get.

Sure the Avs are not as dominant as they used to be. But seriously, anyone who is staying away from the team and the games for that reason alone is a pretty arrogant fan. The Avs still have great offensive talent and are extremely competitive in a very competitive league and division. Sure its not a guarantee that they will win anymore but the chances are pretty good. The Avs have a very good home record. I’m not sure what people are expecting the Avs to do in this situation, there is nothing they can do to move back to the pre lockout days. You want them to go out and over pay for a band aid just like the Broncos did? The Avs have talent and depth and have been dealing with injuries. It breaks my heart to see them cast off like rejects because they are going through a little adversity. If all these people say they are Avs fans, then support them!

The main reason why nobody knows or cares who the new Avs are is because the media has dropped the ball on covering and hyping them. Stastny is already on his way to becoming a star and should be given the same treatment and love as we give Tulo. The Rockies press took away the entire month of October (and rightfully so) away from the Avs first month of the season plus the Broncos are top headline year round (as it should be). But that also means nobody in town knows who to root for. Sakic is on the bench, so who is the new star for the Avs? Thats the media’s job.

The bottom line is that the Rockies are whats taking away from the Avs fans, attention and sports entertainment dollars. I’m not saying thats wrong, I’m a big Rockies fan myself, but we have to at least acknowledge that it has made an impact on the town.

Jeremy

Unfortunately for the Avs, they are being hit by two storms; the lack of attractive on-ice talent combined with a slumping economy; two reasons discussed in these posts.

A little perspective for my fellow Avs fans: I received my first invoice for season tickets last week; $3100.00 for two seats in the upper section for all home games. Now, I’m in a group of four people which makes paying the bill easier but for those who are having tough times right now, obviously, not so easy. As a devout Avs/hockey fan, I will pay for my season tickets but fair-weather fans who were barely attracted to games in the past with Sakic, Roy, Forsberg definitely are not going to spend money they may not have for talent that just isn’t there anymore.

I keep telling myself, get through this season, enjoy the signings in the off season that will be afforded to the Avs by a large amount of cap space, and look forward to the 2008/2009 season.

Jeremy

Unfortunately for the Avs, they are being hit by two storms; the lack of attractive on-ice talent combined with a slumping economy; two reasons discussed in these posts.

A little perspective for my fellow Avs fans: I received my first invoice for season tickets last week; $3100.00 for two seats in the upper section for all home games. Now, I’m in a group of four people which makes paying the bill easier but for those who are having tough times right now, obviously, not so easy. As a devout Avs/hockey fan, I will pay for my season tickets but fair-weather fans who were barely attracted to games in the past with Sakic, Roy, Forsberg definitely are not going to spend money they may not have for talent that just isn’t there anymore.

I keep telling myself, get through this season, enjoy the signings in the off season that will be afforded to the Avs by a large amount of cap space, and look forward to the 2008/2009 season.

CJ Skelton

I’m from Wisconsin, and I have been a die hard avs fan since their very first season in Colorado. If I lived in Denver, i’d have season tickets, but obviously I live a little far away. Instead I watch every game on NHL Center Ice Online and I love it. I honestly dont get why so many people aren’t showing up and is honestly disappointing to me. The Avs are still drawing over 91% capacity, but it still just looks so empty in the building. i dont get how people wouldn’t wana see guys like Stastny, Hejduk, Wolski, Svatos, Liles, Lappy……or anyone…..let alone Sakic and Smyth. I know its a doulbe edge sword…but if the Pepsi Center was packed every night, I guarentee the Avs would do better overall both home and road and they already do great at home. I know some will say that they need to do better before fans start going more, but support your team! Im 1000 miles away and I seem to do more supporting that most of the people in Denver.

CJ Skelton

I’m from Wisconsin, and I have been a die hard avs fan since their very first season in Colorado. If I lived in Denver, i’d have season tickets, but obviously I live a little far away. Instead I watch every game on NHL Center Ice Online and I love it. I honestly dont get why so many people aren’t showing up and is honestly disappointing to me. The Avs are still drawing over 91% capacity, but it still just looks so empty in the building. i dont get how people wouldn’t wana see guys like Stastny, Hejduk, Wolski, Svatos, Liles, Lappy……or anyone…..let alone Sakic and Smyth. I know its a doulbe edge sword…but if the Pepsi Center was packed every night, I guarentee the Avs would do better overall both home and road and they already do great at home. I know some will say that they need to do better before fans start going more, but support your team! Im 1000 miles away and I seem to do more supporting that most of the people in Denver.

Ryan

Jacyln: I have to disagree. The Rockies aren’t in season, right now, so I can’t get on board with the idea that the Baseball team is taking away from hockey attendance in January. There is certainly excitement for the Rockies, and it is (finally) well deserved. But, that doesn’t really follow that somehow fans are holding back from hockey in favor of a baseball team that won’t throw a meaningful pitch in denver for another solid 2 months.

Of course, it also doesn’t make sense that the attendance problems reach a new high-point when the only other teams playing are the Nuggets and Mammoth.

I think Ed and SoothSayer are both mostly right. The economic condition of the state contributes, and it’s exacerbated by the injuries to Smyth, Sakic, Stastny, and the absence of franchise names like Roy, Forsbgerg, Bourque, Blake, Kariya, Selanne, and even Foote.

This is easily the most intelligent sustained conversation ever held on these comment sections. Well done everybody.

Ryan

Jacyln: I have to disagree. The Rockies aren’t in season, right now, so I can’t get on board with the idea that the Baseball team is taking away from hockey attendance in January. There is certainly excitement for the Rockies, and it is (finally) well deserved. But, that doesn’t really follow that somehow fans are holding back from hockey in favor of a baseball team that won’t throw a meaningful pitch in denver for another solid 2 months.

Of course, it also doesn’t make sense that the attendance problems reach a new high-point when the only other teams playing are the Nuggets and Mammoth.

I think Ed and SoothSayer are both mostly right. The economic condition of the state contributes, and it’s exacerbated by the injuries to Smyth, Sakic, Stastny, and the absence of franchise names like Roy, Forsbgerg, Bourque, Blake, Kariya, Selanne, and even Foote.

This is easily the most intelligent sustained conversation ever held on these comment sections. Well done everybody.

Jumbo

Being a ‘true’ or ‘real’ fan doesn’t mean investing hard earned money in them no matter what. The best fans in any sport will boo their team and hold back their ticket dollars if the team isn’t putting a quality product on the field/floor/ice.

Jumbo

Being a ‘true’ or ‘real’ fan doesn’t mean investing hard earned money in them no matter what. The best fans in any sport will boo their team and hold back their ticket dollars if the team isn’t putting a quality product on the field/floor/ice.

Jacyln

Good point about the Rockies not playing right now and not having an impact on the Avs attendance. I do agree with that for those fans who spontaneously attend games but for those who buy season tickets there is a planning aspect to determine where the sports entertainment dollars will go. The Rockies took up a lot of those dollars in October and supposedly the season ticket base has been growing all off season. Also the Rockies’ October run took just about any hype about the new hockey season away. But maybe its the Nuggets who are taking away the Avs attendance now. From my understanding the Nuggets attendance is up greatly over the last few years.

Still, I’m not entirely sure what the Avs’ attendance problem is. If its economic and ticket price related then those $20 promotions should get people in the door. That right there gives people no financial excuses to not attend a game.

Jumbo, I disagree with you about boycotting the team if you feel they are not meeting expectations. I go to games because I love hockey and want to support the Avs. It does not come with any strings attached. Sure I am frustrated and disappointed at times but its not something thats going to make me less loyal to my team. The Broncos have had less than stellar seasons and people don’t stop going to those games because they are “booing the team”. And if some people did then there are 25,000 people in line to take their place.

I think its an issue about marketing. The Avs and the media needs to do a better job getting people in Denver interested in hockey again. That means ticket promotions, coverage, events, and yes an investment in making the team better as well.

Jacyln

Good point about the Rockies not playing right now and not having an impact on the Avs attendance. I do agree with that for those fans who spontaneously attend games but for those who buy season tickets there is a planning aspect to determine where the sports entertainment dollars will go. The Rockies took up a lot of those dollars in October and supposedly the season ticket base has been growing all off season. Also the Rockies’ October run took just about any hype about the new hockey season away. But maybe its the Nuggets who are taking away the Avs attendance now. From my understanding the Nuggets attendance is up greatly over the last few years.

Still, I’m not entirely sure what the Avs’ attendance problem is. If its economic and ticket price related then those $20 promotions should get people in the door. That right there gives people no financial excuses to not attend a game.

Jumbo, I disagree with you about boycotting the team if you feel they are not meeting expectations. I go to games because I love hockey and want to support the Avs. It does not come with any strings attached. Sure I am frustrated and disappointed at times but its not something thats going to make me less loyal to my team. The Broncos have had less than stellar seasons and people don’t stop going to those games because they are “booing the team”. And if some people did then there are 25,000 people in line to take their place.

I think its an issue about marketing. The Avs and the media needs to do a better job getting people in Denver interested in hockey again. That means ticket promotions, coverage, events, and yes an investment in making the team better as well.

Ed Rhodes

I have to agree with Jumbo. I said in my original comment that we don’t cheer for the uniform, we cheer for the players. Two season tickets in the lower level cost $9500 a year. We need to know our team, and we need to know they have passion to win. We (the fans) show up with the hope to win. The players in the past clearly demonstrated that passion to win and they became household names. Adam Foote was not a scoring machine, but he was a winner, and when you sit and watch the game you can tell if a player has the passion to win, and has the courage to put it on the line every game. I’ve seen fleeting moments of that passion in McLeod, and I have seen the fans go crazy when he brings that passion to a game. If anyone thinks you can just put a bunch of warm bodies out there and only the bad fans won’t show, then they are not facing reality. The reason the Rockies are doing great is because they won, and won under great pressure. The fans respect that. Elway is a hero in Denver, because he was a winner, and in every game, I mean every game he played, we (the fans) always knew we had a chance to win until the last second ticked off the clock.

Ed Rhodes

I have to agree with Jumbo. I said in my original comment that we don’t cheer for the uniform, we cheer for the players. Two season tickets in the lower level cost $9500 a year. We need to know our team, and we need to know they have passion to win. We (the fans) show up with the hope to win. The players in the past clearly demonstrated that passion to win and they became household names. Adam Foote was not a scoring machine, but he was a winner, and when you sit and watch the game you can tell if a player has the passion to win, and has the courage to put it on the line every game. I’ve seen fleeting moments of that passion in McLeod, and I have seen the fans go crazy when he brings that passion to a game. If anyone thinks you can just put a bunch of warm bodies out there and only the bad fans won’t show, then they are not facing reality. The reason the Rockies are doing great is because they won, and won under great pressure. The fans respect that. Elway is a hero in Denver, because he was a winner, and in every game, I mean every game he played, we (the fans) always knew we had a chance to win until the last second ticked off the clock.

BiB

AD,

Your next investigative writing assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to explain the bogus Fan Cost Index that NHL marketing weenies release for public consumption:

And how it compares to reality, especially for the Avs. $38.48 as an “average ticket price” for the Avs last season? Average for what? Sections 354 to 360, rows 14 and higher? I have the 2nd cheapest seats in the Can, and they were $34 each season ticket price last year. And there aren’t too many of those seats. There are even fewer cheaper seats. I would guestimate that the real average ticket price in the Can is around $100. And based on what I have seen and heard, I am sure that the real average ticket price for the Avs is one of the highest in the NHL.

Could you please uncover this crap that NHL marketing clones are trying to use to show how games are affordable, and reveal how the Avs really stack up? I used to see real ticket price averages published once in a while (it has been years), and the Avs were always among the most expensive in the leauge.

BiB

AD,

Your next investigative writing assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to explain the bogus Fan Cost Index that NHL marketing weenies release for public consumption:

And how it compares to reality, especially for the Avs. $38.48 as an “average ticket price” for the Avs last season? Average for what? Sections 354 to 360, rows 14 and higher? I have the 2nd cheapest seats in the Can, and they were $34 each season ticket price last year. And there aren’t too many of those seats. There are even fewer cheaper seats. I would guestimate that the real average ticket price in the Can is around $100. And based on what I have seen and heard, I am sure that the real average ticket price for the Avs is one of the highest in the NHL.

Could you please uncover this crap that NHL marketing clones are trying to use to show how games are affordable, and reveal how the Avs really stack up? I used to see real ticket price averages published once in a while (it has been years), and the Avs were always among the most expensive in the leauge.

Jacyln

Those figures are misleading but its because they broke up the tickets into regular and premium. I do remember reading that the Avs have the second highest average ticket price, next to Toronto, with something like a $70 average.

I know season ticket prices are very high, and I agree that most people can’t afford to pay thousands of dollars to see the Avs play. But there are other ways to see a game and I feel that financial reasons are just excuses. There are the $20 promotions, $99 ticket packs for 2 tickets in the lower bowl and drinks, ect. If someone is a fan they will find a way to get to a game a few times a year.

So maybe we need to ask this question: which part of attendance is declining? Season ticket holders who paid thousands in the past or those fans who can afford to go to a few games a season?

I don’t see how you all can say the Avs are not passionate. They work hard every game and are probably over achieving due to the injuries. Of course I think some things need to change but I think everyone is being too harsh on them. Sakic, Hejduk, Liles, and the like have been winners before. Just because they missed the playoffs once the whole team is now a bunch of losers? And I think Stastny is a players fans can get excited about, he finished second in the ROY voting himself, an all star and before he got injured was mentioned in the same breath as the points leaders in the NHL. Its a shame that he’s not an exciting enough player for some folks.

Jacyln

Those figures are misleading but its because they broke up the tickets into regular and premium. I do remember reading that the Avs have the second highest average ticket price, next to Toronto, with something like a $70 average.

I know season ticket prices are very high, and I agree that most people can’t afford to pay thousands of dollars to see the Avs play. But there are other ways to see a game and I feel that financial reasons are just excuses. There are the $20 promotions, $99 ticket packs for 2 tickets in the lower bowl and drinks, ect. If someone is a fan they will find a way to get to a game a few times a year.

So maybe we need to ask this question: which part of attendance is declining? Season ticket holders who paid thousands in the past or those fans who can afford to go to a few games a season?

I don’t see how you all can say the Avs are not passionate. They work hard every game and are probably over achieving due to the injuries. Of course I think some things need to change but I think everyone is being too harsh on them. Sakic, Hejduk, Liles, and the like have been winners before. Just because they missed the playoffs once the whole team is now a bunch of losers? And I think Stastny is a players fans can get excited about, he finished second in the ROY voting himself, an all star and before he got injured was mentioned in the same breath as the points leaders in the NHL. Its a shame that he’s not an exciting enough player for some folks.

abasin

I disagree. It’s not the economy. The current economy isn’t appreciably worse than in 2002 after the 9-11 attacks, and the Avs sold out just fine during that ‘recession’.

It’s the team. Denver fans are growing weary of a very average Avs team that often doesn’t show 60 minutes of either effort or ability very often. Broncos attendance is fine. Rockies attendance – when they showed a winning team at the end of last year – was up nicely. It’s the team, not the economy.

Pierre Lacroix blew a hole in the side of the ship, jumped into the life boat, and tossed Giguere a bucket to bail it out. And it shows.

Give the Avs fans a team that is truly playoff-competitive – preferably with a few dynamic players – and the team will sell out again right away.

I do agree with you that ticket prices are a bit crazy. Heck, for the same price as taking my family of four to an Avs game with decent seats, I could take care of airfare for my whole family’s annual vacation to Scottsdale.

-AB

abasin

I disagree. It’s not the economy. The current economy isn’t appreciably worse than in 2002 after the 9-11 attacks, and the Avs sold out just fine during that ‘recession’.

It’s the team. Denver fans are growing weary of a very average Avs team that often doesn’t show 60 minutes of either effort or ability very often. Broncos attendance is fine. Rockies attendance – when they showed a winning team at the end of last year – was up nicely. It’s the team, not the economy.

Pierre Lacroix blew a hole in the side of the ship, jumped into the life boat, and tossed Giguere a bucket to bail it out. And it shows.

Give the Avs fans a team that is truly playoff-competitive – preferably with a few dynamic players – and the team will sell out again right away.

I do agree with you that ticket prices are a bit crazy. Heck, for the same price as taking my family of four to an Avs game with decent seats, I could take care of airfare for my whole family’s annual vacation to Scottsdale.

-AB

Eric

Move the team back to Quebec where it belongs!

Eric

Move the team back to Quebec where it belongs!

BiB

Yes, because that would be so economically viable. Is there an owner there who:

1. Also owns an arena.
2. Also owns an NBA team that plays in that arena.
3. Also owns an indoor Lacrosse team that plays in that arena.
4. Also owns the TV network that broadcasts most of his major team’s games.
5. Also owns at least parts of a bunch of other stuff in the area?

Sorry Charlie, the Avs are here to stay and are still pretty much the cornerstone of Stan’s enterprise here.

BiB

Yes, because that would be so economically viable. Is there an owner there who:

1. Also owns an arena.
2. Also owns an NBA team that plays in that arena.
3. Also owns an indoor Lacrosse team that plays in that arena.
4. Also owns the TV network that broadcasts most of his major team’s games.
5. Also owns at least parts of a bunch of other stuff in the area?

Sorry Charlie, the Avs are here to stay and are still pretty much the cornerstone of Stan’s enterprise here.

BiB

PS: Why does Terry post with comments off?

BiB

PS: Why does Terry post with comments off?

BiB

I was also very disappointed to see AD blindly quote the FPI average ticket price for the Avs in a response in his mailbag the other day.

AD, do you really believe, that by ANY reasonable measure, the average ticket price in the Pepsi Center for an Av game is $38? Maybe if you exclude 90% of the arena, including a large chunk of the upper bowl … it really doesn’t make a lick of sense.

BiB

I was also very disappointed to see AD blindly quote the FPI average ticket price for the Avs in a response in his mailbag the other day.

AD, do you really believe, that by ANY reasonable measure, the average ticket price in the Pepsi Center for an Av game is $38? Maybe if you exclude 90% of the arena, including a large chunk of the upper bowl … it really doesn’t make a lick of sense.

Amy B. R.

For me missing Avs games has always been an economy thing . . . since 6th grade I’ve wanted to go take in an Avs game, but was never able to because my family couldn’t afford it. Even when we moved to Denver and didn’t have to add substantial travel expenses to the cost.

Of course, at $20/ticket I think I could swing it now that I support myself . . . but alas, alak, I had to move to KY to work . . . . It’s always something. Oh well.

Amy B. R.

For me missing Avs games has always been an economy thing . . . since 6th grade I’ve wanted to go take in an Avs game, but was never able to because my family couldn’t afford it. Even when we moved to Denver and didn’t have to add substantial travel expenses to the cost.

Of course, at $20/ticket I think I could swing it now that I support myself . . . but alas, alak, I had to move to KY to work . . . . It’s always something. Oh well.

Terry Frei graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in the Denver area and has degrees in history and journalism from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He worked for the Rocky Mountain News while attending CU and joined the Post staff after graduation. He has also worked at the Oregonian in Portland, Ore., and The Sporting News. His seventh book, March 1939: Before the Madness, was issued in February 2014.

Chambers covers college and professional hockey for The Denver Post. He has written for the Post since 1994, after dumping his first 9-to-5 office job a couple years out of college. He primarily follows the University of Denver hockey team and helps cover the Avalanche.